A local government poll contested, in substance, by only one political party, with rival parties intentionally excluded or never genuinely allowed to field candidates, is an insult to democracy
By Eze Victor, Abakaliki
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has rejected Saturday’s local government election conducted by the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), describing the exercise as a “mono-party election” and threatening to challenge its outcome in court.
The party alleged that the election was conducted in violation of subsisting court judgments and constitutional provisions governing the administration of local governments.
The election was held across the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards. However, the PDP boycotted the exercise, alleging that the process was designed to favour the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, said the party would not recognise the exercise as a legitimate democratic election.
According to Onwe, the election lacked the legal and democratic foundation required for a valid local government poll.
“What EBSIEC and the Ebonyi State Government are presenting to the public as a local government election is not, in law or in fact, an election at all,” he said.
He described the exercise as “a brazen assault on our democracy,” alleging that it amounted to contempt of court and a continued disregard for subsisting judicial pronouncements.
The PDP spokesman further claimed that previous local government elections in the state had been nullified by the courts and accused the state government and EBSIEC of failing to resolve the legal issues arising from those judgments.
He also alleged that a subsisting order of the Federal High Court restrained the conduct of further local government elections except in compliance with the Constitution and applicable electoral laws.
Onwe argued that the absence of genuine opposition participation further undermined the credibility of the poll.
“A local government poll contested, in substance, by only one political party, with rival parties intentionally excluded or never genuinely allowed to field candidates, is an insult to democracy,” he said.
The party also questioned the tenure of local government chairmen and councillors under the Ebonyi State Local Government Law, arguing that certain provisions were inconsistent with constitutional requirements and existing judicial pronouncements.
The PDP called on EBSIEC to suspend the election pending compliance with court orders, amendment of relevant provisions of the state law and the guarantee of transparent participation by all registered political parties.
“We therefore call on EBSIEC to suspend forthwith the local government election pending full and demonstrable compliance with the subsisting order of the court and pending verifiable, transparent participation of all registered political parties, including the PDP, in the process,” Onwe said.
The opposition party also urged the Ebonyi State Government to comply with outstanding court decisions concerning local government administration.
It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take note of the development and urged relevant federal authorities to consider the legal status of any council structure that emerges from the election.
Onwe said the PDP reserved the right to seek judicial redress over the conduct and outcome of the election.
“We reserve, and will exercise where necessary, our full right to challenge any election conducted in violation of these subsisting judicial pronouncements before a court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.
“We will also pursue contempt proceedings against any persons or authorities who proceed in conscious disregard of subsisting court orders.”
EBSIEC had fixed August 22, 2026, for elections into the 13 local government councils and 171 wards in Ebonyi State, stating that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with relevant electoral laws and guidelines.
Meanwhile, reports from some polling units indicated low voter turnout during the exercise.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, who cast his ballot during the election, reportedly commended EBSIEC for the conduct of the poll.
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